Christmas eve and Christmas Day and everything else

December 23rd was a horrible day. At least it was for me. I started throwing up at 6:00 am and kept it up for almost24 hours. However, Grandma Carla took Addie that day to the mall to see Santa. She also came over that night because Landan was driving the big rig and didn't get home until 10 p.m. She fed my kids dinner tucked them in bed and cleaned my house. Grandma (mom) definitely saved the day for me.
Christmas Eve the kids got their new jammies. We went to 2 great parties. First the DeGraffenried party where we had great food, a talent show,pinata and gifts. My kids were spoiled. We got a freezer Hooray!! we needed an extra one.

Then off to Grandma Patty's for more fun! Santa made a surprise visit. The kids were very thrilled. My kids were spoiled again and Trey was so excited to get a stop sign pillow.

Christmas morning was way exciting. Addie received a lot of new clothes and a hannah montana digital camera, beanbag chair etc....

Trey loved his stop sign piggy bank. When he saw it Christmas morning he said " stop sign, you are beautiful" He also was very excited to get an alphabet mat and red big rig like daddy's.

All of the kids love Addie's new hair salon. Trey and PJ did a great job on Addie's hair

Peyton loved his Green big rig the most.

Grandma Carla gave Addie this doll. Addie named it Mackley DeGraffenried Louise after her favorite cousin.

We had a great Christmas! But glad it is over and the decorations are down.

The day after Christmas was another bad day at our house. Landan was sick and threw up on our stairs!! I was so grossed out! Instead of being sympathetic I yelled at him and told him only two year olds can't make it to the bathroom. Poor Landan, he is just so inexperienced with the stomach flu.

we are hoping that we are done with the sick thing and can enjoy the rest of the holiday break.

The Nutcracker

Addie participated in the Nutcracker this year. She was a mouse. She did a great job and the production was fantastic! my little mouse

and friends.

the snowflakes were beautiful

Clara was fantastic

I had to get a pic of a man in tights

these girls were great too. The whole show was very well done.

not a fan of the snow

I really don't like the snow! What is to like? It is cold. Makes a mess. No fun to drive in. I would be okay with one snow storm a year. My kids could play in it for a little while. We could build a snowman and then it could go away.

First visit with Santa this year was a huge success! None of my kids cried. I almost cried I was so happy.

Trey wouldn't look at him.

PJ really liked him until he sat on his lap and then he got a little uncomfortable.
BTW, Santa was at the Heelis Christmas party. We all had a smashing time!!

Another week

This week has been another busy, fun week.
Addie asked me last night if Elves like candy bars. I said that I was pretty sure they did. This morning I found a candy bar with a letter on our front porch she had written to the head Elf at the north pole. So I ate the candy bar and wrote her a note from Marty, the head Elf, thanking her for the nice letter. I wish Christmas would always stay this magical for kids. But darn it! They seem to grow up too fast. We went to the Light Parade on Saturday my kids had a lot of fun

cousins freezing in the cold.

Landan had Lasik eye surgery. He can see really well now. He asked me why I never told him how hairy his legs were.

We made a gingerbread house with Carlene's kids. The poor house collapsed before it was completely decorated. Oh well! It was still fun

what a fun and busy week

Monday morning I finally registered my car so there is no need to hide from the policeman anymore. Then I rushed home to babysit Carlene's kids. Surprise!! My mom and Carlene showed up at my door with Bajio and Diet Coke. I wasn't really tending they were surprising me with lunch for my birthday. How nice was that?!
Later, when I picked Addie up from school, she came running to the car, "Mom, I won! and they gave me my own debit card." she won the reflections contest in her school in the dance category. She was pretty pumped. She had to go use her debit card (walmart gift card)immediately.
Tuesday, I had to go pick up Addie from school because she claimed her heart was hurting. I have discovered over the years that this means she is worried about something. But the school was concerned so I took her home. Later, I discovered that she was worried about math because she had lost her math homework. She thought the teacher was going to be mad at her. She also was refusing to go to dance because she lost one of her tap shoes. We found the tap shoe and her heart was miraculously healed.
Trey has been cracking me up. He says so many funny things. Some of them are only funny because he is 3 and still innocent. for example, at dinner time blessing on the food, Trey folded his arms and very loudly sang " Heavenly Father had a farm E I E I O" He also announced he wants to be a baseball card when he grows up and has started hitting his head in frustration and saying " son of a bit" I swear it didn't come from me or Landan. Addie insists he got it from watching Elf.

Wednesday My mom and sisters went to see New Moon. I still don't get what all of the fuss was about. But I enjoyed it. I would definitely have to be team Jacob. Edward is too scrawny, has a hairy chest and looks like he wearing lipstick.

We also made Indian head dresses

and sugar cookies on Wednesday. Trey really enjoyed the cookie decorating.

Tuesday, I also went to dinner with friends for my birthday. It is always fun to get together with these girlies.

Thursday, Carlene and I ran in the Earn your turkey four miler. We had a good time! It was really cold and there were like a thousand runners but it was still fun!

This year we also had Thanksgiving with all three families. The Huff's had theirs last week at GC. My parents dined yesterday noonish and then we went to Grandma Patty's for Dinner. It was a great day! Fantastic week... And No, I am not going shopping on black Friday.

I am always getting older

yep, I am officially 33! How does this happen? I swear I just posted about #32. Highlights from the birthday include going out with my mom and dad to Texas Roadhouse. My new digital camera also purchased by the parents, Landan's attempt at making cheesecake, my new Pedometer/heart rate/chronograph watch from Steve and Ellen and the numerous art work that Addie gave me. I also got enough diet coke to keep me in business for a while. I can't complain.

just a little fun

girls on vacation

We went on our semi -annual girls' trip this weekend. We had so much fun! Addie and Hallie made friends with these lovely rats. The rats, being very appreciative of their friendship left them treasures by their bed. No, not rat poop. They gave them coloring books and crayons to help them settle down at night.

We went to Pirate Island pizza. That was really fun

We went to see the Christmas Carol in 3D. Hallie and Addie thought it was scary. Lydia was great.

We went by the temple and looked at the Nativity. Hallie and Addie are pretending to be wise men.

On the way home, the girls decided to see if their 3D glasses would work for watching a movie in the car.

Once again, we had a great time! Landan did a great job at home with the boys. He even cleaned and did laundry.

weekend review

A couple of days ago, I ran over this beautiful creature in my driveway, while coming home from taking Addie to school. I wasn't 100% positive it was dead, So I took the picture and then ran for my life.

I am so extremely proud of this preschool picture of Trey. Why? because he looks like he is cooperating!! That is huge for Trey! Plus, he looks incredibly handsome. Other funny Treyisms for the week. Trey has narrowed down his costume choices for Halloween next year to either the letter Y or X or the number 56 or 32. When I asked him what he wanted from Santa he replied "fruit snacks and chocolate milk" at least he won't be hard to please. On the other hand, Addie only wants her own computer, uneven bars, wii, dollhouse,digital camera, beauty salon and makeup. If she only gets these items she will be completely happy. I guess we are going to have a sad Christmas.

what an example

My dad is pretty amazing! He is the Mayor of Santaquin and was up for re election.The Opposition has been campaigning very dirty. There have been some horrible things said about him. There were vicious lies spread about his character. But my dad never played their game. He never stooped to their level. There were times when I wanted him to because I thought what they were doing was so unfair. However, the fact that he continued to be the bigger person has reminded me that he is a great guy and his way was definitely the better way. With my dad what you see is what you get. He is very honest and stands by his decisions, even when it doesn't seem to be the popular thing to do.

In the end, he did pull out another victory. I am very happy he won. But even more happy he didn't lose.(yes, I did mean that in more than one way) It was a win for the good guy.

Halloween festivities

Hooray for Halloween being over. Here are a few pics of the eventful day PJ is a cowboy

Trey is the bob the builder

Addie is a scary witch

The haunted house at Grandma Patty's party was very scary!

AAAHHHH!

I even dressed up as the evil karate mama

Carlene and I ran the Salem witches run this morning. Lots of fun

The big birthday

This little stinker just turned two. He decided to jump right in to being a 2 year old. He spent all morning throwing tantrums.

This is Mr. October. Just check him out

Daddy is assembling the gift from Grandma Carla. It is a hit with all of the kids

Peyt is enjoying his birthday cake

We had quite a few characters show up to his party. Spiderman(aka Noah) took the time to come and celebrate

We played games like the ring toss, bean bag throw, had a fish pond and face painting. We had carnival cake and Halloween cupcakes. And the kids got to take home cotton candy with spiders in it.

Sophie getting her face painted

Maddux with one of the prizes from the fish pond

Look at all these fun people. It was a great time (I hope). I always wonder why I do these parties. You would not believe the mess that 12 guests between the ages of 18 months and 5 years can make.